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Just a few years ago portable chargers were a novelty, but these days they are essential when you need immediate power on-the-go.

The Renogy Phoenix takes portable power to whole new levels with a unit capable of charging just about everything needing it, even a TV, lamp or coffee maker.

The key to this compact unit is the solar panels making the 16.24-by-11.95-by-3.94-inch waterproof brief case (12.8-pounds) design a go-to device anytime power is needed. Usages can be vacations, work, relaxing in your own backyard or in an emergency.

A pair of 10-watt solar panels power the 16,000 mAh Li-ion internal battery, which powers a 110-volt AC, 12-volt (cigarette lighter style), a pair of 12-volt DC and 4 USB ports. The internal battery is good for up to 1500 cycles and is replaceable.

Besides getting power from the panels, the Phoenix can be charged with AC or car charging power.

Additional panels can be purchased bring the total to 120-watts for more power and faster charging. Charging can be done from zero up to 113-degrees Fahrenheit (0~45 Celsius).

www.renogy.com $688.99

My first impression of Henge Dock’s Gravitas iPhone/iPad docking station was the weight. So much so, my curiosity had me weigh it before the package was opened; 3.25 pounds.

Out of the box it weighs just 2.5-pounds (3.5-inch diameter) and has really a nice looking design and matching Apple aesthetics with a zinc alloy finish. Using it is pretty simple; put in your iOS device with the right swappable insert.

You get an insert for iPhones (6/6s, 6 Plus/6s Plus, 7/7 Plus) and one for iPads (iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini, iPad Mini with Retina Display and iPad 4th gen).

The “Life After Device” program ensures future Apple lightning devices will be compatible with new inserts made for the Gravitas.

There is a USB port for charging and syncing along with a 3.5mm aux audio port for connecting speakers. The front of the dock has a cleaver groove to access the devices home button while docked.

I had thin cases on both my iPhone 7 and iPad 4th gen, and they fit in the dock. I’m sure there are some that won’t fit but it’s nice so see that many will.

With a sold feel, I know one thing: when my device is docked it will take a lot to knock it over.

www.hengedocks.com $69

So you just got a new laptop and it has a different connection, which you have no idea what it is or what it’s for.

Hopefully you figured out it’s USB-C, which has a ton of potential when connected to the right accessory.

One of those right accessories is the Scosche USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. The front end has a USB-C connection, while the other (connected with a flexible cord) has three ports. One for HDMI, a standard USB type A port and the third port is a USB-C pass through charging.

The third port is critical since your computer probably charges with the USB-C, so if you hook up other adapters they will work while your computer’s battery runs down. Now you can still keep your computer powered up, charge your smartphone and mirror your computer to an HDMI-enabled TV.

The standard USB type A port can be used for charging, syncing or connecting storage devices such has hard drivers or flash drives.

Data transfer speeds with the adapter have 8GB in 3 minutes 25 seconds.

The Fugoo GO is a great sounding and versatile Bluetooth speaker with rugged, dust-proof, mud-proof and waterproof construction.

But after using a single 12 watt Fugoo GO, I was convinced it wasn’t enough and I had to have a pair, which was a great idea. The speakers pair together and setting them to stereo mode gives you even better room sound from each 360-degree speaker.

The speakers pair with Bluetooth 4.2 up to 100 feet apart. Once they are playing you’ll hear these aren’t just another pair of Bluetooth speakers. The amazing deep bass is crystal clear and produced from two full-range drivers and two bass radiators.

The GO only weighs a pound, measures 1 7/8-by-8 7/8-by-3 5/16-inches and has an elastic mounting cord wrap on the end making it ideal for biking, boating, a shower or hanging from most anywhere.

While the main body of the speaker has a black cloth grill, controls and the cord are color coordinated with choices of red, black or blue.

Its IP67 rating mean it can withstand 5 foot drops or hanging out in water submerged up to 3 feet for 30 minutes.

You can even hose the speakers off, if your activates get it covered in dirt, dust or mud.

As is the case with Fugoo’s other speakers, the GO is compatible with the company’s line of accessories (sold separately) including bike, tripod and strap mounts.

A built-in, USB charged Lithium-Ion battery will go for about 10 hours with the volume at 50 percent.

It stands out from the competition because of the built-in circuit breaker, enabling it to detect damaging power surges, voltage or current within a tenth of a second. Once a safe current is detected it switches back to a safe charging mode.

This can happen during bad weather or even when your device is plugged into a car adapter while turning the car on.

The 4-foot cable ($29.99) comes with a 5 year warranty and is certified by Apple to meet the company’s performance standards. The exterior has a durable and protective fiber Armor-Weave design and is chemical/heat/abrasion resistant. A microUSB version is available for $24.99.

With a 2.4 amp rating, you’ll get 75 percent charging vs many other cables.

STM’s haven laptop backpack has it all – endless storage compartments, great craftsmanship and a great looking design.

A padded compartment stores up to a 15-inch laptop, tablet or whatever needs to secured with padding. The storage area includes a unique feature that suspends the contents off the floor with what STM calls sling tech protection. Your laptop is surrounded by padding to keep all sides protected.

Inside pockets store everything you need including sunglasses in a fleece lined pocket. A Stretch water bottle pocket, external pockets with cable pass-through for charging, a front side quick storage pouch and adjustable straps are just a few of the other features that stood out to me.

The exterior is made with a lightweight fabric with a water resistant coating. A cushioned panel rests on your back with 3D foam cores with soft mesh, and a central air channel for comfort and great ventilation.

Compartments for storage are never ending everything well-positioned for storing everything I could think of. I also like the weight of the empty backpack, which is just 1.87-pounds.

orks off the Alexa Voice Service to control smart home features, give weather updates and much to my delight, give updated sport scores upon command.

When you first plug Echo into a power source, a voice directs you to the app (Fire OS, Android, iOS and desktop browsers) and an easy setup. This includes discovering any smart home devices currently being used, which Echo can also control.

According to Amazon, Echo works with smart home devices (sold separately) from WeMo, Philips Hue, SmartThings, Insteon, Nest, ecobee, and Wink.

You log into the app with your existing Amazon account, connect it to Wifi and you’re ready for Alexa to control your life.

I used the Echo for a few days and had it turning on and off lights, starting my coffee maker, reading me my calendar features for the day, adjusting my thermostat and updating me on the news of the day.

Echo comes preloaded as Alexa meaning all commands are started with “Alexa,” but if someone is named Alexa within your household you can change the command name in the app settings.

Whenever you want a command to stop, simply say “Alexa stop.”

It measures 9.25-by-3.27-by-3.27-inches and a top light indicates when you’ve sent Alexa a command. Other features include Bluetooth enabled, seven noise-cancelling microphones to hear commands from any direction and great 360-degree sound.

The microphones works so well, Echo even heard my commands while music was playing in the background from a different source.

Every now and then Alexa got stumped by my commands but as it got used to me the device learned voice, speech patterns and what I’m asking for.

The ileum app-controlled smart home LED lightbulbs light up a room, change colors and have built in Bluetooth.

They can be controlled to go on or off from an everyday wall switch or more modernly through the ileum app. This allows them to be controlled from anywhere Bluetooth will reach.

The app lets you choose any color to illuminate a room with the touch of a color palette. Lighting can be dimmed for moods, waking up or going to sleep. The smart bulbs are available in standard size ($59.99), and indoor ($59.99) or outdoor ($69.99) flood versions and do not require WiFi or a hub.

A feature called Vacation Security allows the light to turn on or off randomly while you’re away to give the appearance that your home.

According to ilumi, their bulbs last up to 20 years and are five times more energy efficient than a regular bulb.

The app records the activities and sets guidelines for your pet based on its breed (over 200 choices), age and existing measured activity.

The PitPat measures 1.5-by-1.2-by-.6 inches and weighs 0.42 ounces. It attaches with Velcro to your dog’s existing collar (fit collars up to 40 mm wide and 5 mm thick) and is waterproof (IP67) for quick dips in ponds and splashes.

I attached it to my 12-pound dog, she didn’t really show any reaction. As expected, she didn’t do much while I was working (just as a remote camera showed me years ago) and pretty much spent the day shut eyed.

The goal of the PitPat is to keep your dog healthy for a longer and happy life, just as an activity tracker does for you and me.

If you have multiple pets, the app can support up to three individual PitPat devices. It’s powered by a small coin-sized battery (CR1632) and should last for about a year.

One thing I did wonder was answered on the PitPat site: does the device emit harmful radiation that could harm my dog? And the answer is No, the PitPat uses standard Bluetooth technology, which is perfectly safe for humans and pets.

The main attraction is the power surge protection aspect, which you should use on all your valuable electronics – computers, gaming units, TVs, etc. A power surge is a spike in your data or power lines, most often caused by weather, but it could also be from heavy usage on the lines or utility company issues.

What really interested me in this device is the power line (PLC) communication, which I was not familiar with.

I spoke with a representative from Monster to explain what PLC is and simply, it’s a communication protocol that uses your house’s existing electrical wiring for electrical outlets to carry and transmits data.

So after you plug you’re existing data into Black Platinum 1200, you send your existing Internet signal to another part of your house for a wired Internet connection.

A great aspect is that you set this up yourself; just plug in the included power line adapter to an AC outlet near your existing modem. Then use an ethernet cable to connect them.

Figure out where you want your computer or whatever needs a wired Internet connection. Then plug the power strip into an AC outlet and an ethernet cable to the ethernet port on the power center.

This replaces the need of a long ethernet cable or it can reach where a cable can’t.

You also get $1 million insurance to guarantee the Black Platinum 1200 will protect the equipment connected to it. Check the Monster warranty for details.

In no particular order, the Marley Chant Sport portable Bluetooth speaker has great sound and great looks.

The Bluetooth sound comes from a pair of speakers (4.5W, 1.75-inch drivers and a 2X passive radiator) inside a 360-degree sound chamber covered by a black mesh grill.

As for the looks, it shouldn’t be a surprise since Marley really put a great emphasis on their product’s appearance.

The outside is made of recycled blended bio-plastic, silicone and recyclable aluminum. It has an IPX7 water-resistant rating so it can withstand getting caught in a quick rain shower but just don’t take it for a swim, although it will float.

It measures 7.75-by-3.65-by-3.65-inches and is shaped like a water bottle to conveniently first into a cup holder.

Inside is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, good for about 8 hours of play and a built-in microphone for handsfree calls.

At last week’s Consumer Electronics Show, they really upped the security guidelines with shoulder bag and backpack restrictions. With these changes, it was a perfect time to put Quest Vest from ScotteVest to use.

When I say it’s loaded with pockets (42) thats an understatement. There are pockets inside pockets so you won’t run out of storage for any of your digital accessories.

I liked that it looks just like a vest with a pair of outside pockets, with no indication of the accessories you might be storing.

This way you can load it up and it doesn’t broadcast any of the pricy electronics you have inside, unless it is being X-rayed during a security check.

The first day I actually packed too much including my iPhone, iPad with keyboard case, charging cables, a pair of portable USB batteries, keys, notebook, paperwork, snacks, a water bottle, earbuds and a lot more.

A funny problem was I couldn’t remember where I put my stuff so I had to give myself a pat down to find things. But after that it was great and I didn’t have to remember whether I had picked up my shoulder bag when leaving a location because I didn’t have one.

I did switch things around, trying to find the perfect balance, which I did. All the zippers feel like they are well constructed and should last a long time.

The 65-percent cotton and 35-percent nylon fabric exterior is Teflon treated for water and stain resistance, which came in handy since I was caught in the rain a few times.

The new Bluesmart suitcase is a good first effort in the smart luggage category.

It’s built with a digital lock, location tracking, trip data tracking and a built-in battery for charing your USB device with ports inside and outside the suitcase.

Before you start packing, the suitcase weighs nine pounds and a built-in scale in the handle tells you what it weighs, inside the app, after you’re packed.

You can’t check the bag in due to TSA airline restrictions because of the built-in battery. It would be nice if the battery could be removed so you have the option to check in the bag, but right now it doesn’t.

On my flight it had no problem fitting in the overhead storage on an American Airlines 737. They never asked me if my bag would it in the bag sizer and I didn’t offer to test it. Make sure you check your airline’s carry-on guidelines to ensure it conforms.

It fits whatever you can pack in; clothes, computers, camera gear, etc. Once your packed, you can lock or unlock it with the free Bluesmart app after you make a wireless (Bluetooth) connection, which takes just seconds.

The internal battery (10,000mAh) is charged with the included microUSB cable and can charge an iPhone up to six times. With the internal port you can charge your stuff while flying so its ready when you land.

The outside port makes it easy to charge while waiting for a flight or if it fits in under the seat for close access.

Even though the bag is carry-on only, it has tracking, which I guess can be used if someone grabs your bag and runs. You’ll only have about a 100-feet range to see where it is if you look inside the app. After that the internal SIM card can get you the GPS coordinates sent to your phone.

This was the first suitcase I ever had to read the included instructions (the company website frustrated me to no end with registrations) to work the features.

We’re experiencing the golden age of photography web forms. I bet you haven’t read that sentence before. But it’s true!

Turn back the clock ten years. While photographers might have had nice websites, showing their work and their passion projects, the forms were lacking. Photography companies either needed to know how to code and embed their own forms — that most couldn’t do since they were busy running their own businesses — or they used outdated information collection methods.

Today is a different story. Savvy photography practices are starting to utilize online form building platforms to streamline their operations and save boatloads of time and hassle, and there’s no reason you can’t do it too. Below are five of the top ideas to get ahead using online forms.

Booking

Let clients reserve dates, the number of photographers needed, and the exact times required for service straight from an online form. It’s easier for them to have a presentable form to fill out, and you get the information you need in a scannable, easy-to-understand format.

The beauty of using a contact form in addition to an email address is two fold. For starters, forms can be more enticing for prospective clients to use than sending an email, as they don’t have to log in to their email provider or aimlessly craft a message. Secondly, today’s form platforms neatly store your information in the cloud and integrate with CRM systems so that the information you collect is connected with powerful business tools. It’s just one more way to stay on top of your game.

Collect Payment

The days of depositing physical checks or chasing down clients for their money are officially over. The leading DIY form building platforms integrate with payment solutions. So not only can you whip together a professional form in a few minutes, you can quickly and securely collect payments as well. That way, if someone is serious about your services, then can give you a deposit right from the booking stage without ever even meeting you in person.

Model Release and Agreement Forms

Oh, the marvels of modern technology. Need to get a model to sign and return a release document? You can make a form for that. E-signature capabilities on many form building platforms allow clients and models to electronically sign the online form and send it your way with a single click. No printing, scanning, or mailing required.

Staffing Up

Imagine things are humming along just fine with your one-man practice, but, all of a sudden, a huge event requests your service — an event that requires multiple photographers with expert skill sets and equipment. You could turn it down. Or, you could use a cleverly crafted online form to collect applicants from freelance photographers. Don’t think in terms of standard job applications; create form fields for what equipment they have, years of experience, and even have them submit sample photos straight through the online form.

The real benefit of leaning on online forms is that it frees up your time so you can spend it taking and editing pictures. The best part? Online form builders are cheap. Most of the major ones even offer freemium models where you get the full suite of features for free up until a certain level of usage. And it’s generally pretty inexpensive beyond that. As the photography industry gets more and more competitive, you need advantages. Online forms are just that.

Chad Reid is the Director of Communications for JotForm, a leading online form creator used by photographers all over the world. He currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his girlfriend and cats.

What a perfect time to write about Power Muffs, the stylish earmuff headphones that have wireless internal Bluetooth speakers. They also have an internal noise canceling microphone that you can access with the touch of a button while your ears stay warm during handsfree calls. I agree with a recent company press release, they are “the warmest sound in the world.”

Power Muffs weigh just 5 ounces and are adjustable to fit any head. Everything is controlled on the side of one muff, with power, volume and pairing buttons. A microUSB port is hidden on the bottom for charging the internal Lithium Ion battery, which should last for to six hours of use before a two-hour charge is needed.

If you keep them in standby mode, you’ll get about seven days of battery time.

I really didn’t expect much from the sound but I was pleasantly surprised after cranking up the volume and hearing the high-fidelity sound.

They are on a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, which I have no doubt will hit its goal.

According to the website, “Power Muffs premium Bluetooth earmuff headphones start at only $29 on Indiegogo. Those who pre-order will receive their headphones in time for the holidays.”

The sale price is 70 percent off the $99 retail for a limited time only.

http://powermuffs.com available in black, brown or ivory

Another timely gadget for winter is a mouthful to say, Impecca Power it 36,000mAh Power Supply and Car Jump Starter Kit, but worth it to remember for both its convenience and the peace of mind of extra safety.

The portable power pack has enough juice to boost anything from a smartphone to an RV or light truck.

It’s crazy that a battery that’s small enough to fit in a glove compartment, measuring just 7.12-by-3.34-by-9.56-inches is powerful enough to jump start your car, but it can.

There’s also an LED flashlight with SOS safety signal, dual USB charging ports and an LED area lamp for lighting the side of a road or a campsite. An LCD displays the battery levels.

It’s can be charged up to 3,000 times. I only did a few so if you hit that number be sure to let me know.

The Impecca website states the battery’s auto jump start is 24v or 12v output and the jump start peak current is 800A with a starting current of 400A.

There are other models available down to a 8,000mAh model, which has the USB ports and can just start a car or SUV with 12V batteries.

www.impecca.com $329.95 for the 36,000mAh down to $79.95 for the 8,000mAH power supply.

I’ve waited almost a year to get my hands and ears on the Fugoo XL portable speaker and it was worth the wait.

I think it would be hard for another portable Bluetooth speaker to equal the sound and features of this one but I’m sure someone will come knocking as soon as they read this.

Meanwhile, I would say the Fugoo XL is outstanding and worth every penny.

First the features; it’s built as a rugged speaker with 360-degree sound and an IP67 rating. This makes it 100 percent waterproof (beach, shower, pool or rain), is dust-proof and shockproof.

I gave it a spray of water and a small drop off my kitchen counter and the music didn’t stop.

As for the sound, it’s designed with drivers on all four sides of the speaker and each side has an eight-degree angle for even better positioning.

When I first saw the speaker at the 2015 Consumer Electronic Show, my notes described it as “incredible sound, gotta try one out ASAP.”

The sound just doesn’t seem to end and it’s accurately described as ” rich full bass, solid midrange, and crisp distinct highs.”

With the rugged design it’s made for outdoors, so when you’re there, use the Outdoor mode for a fuller and deeper sound. All this is done with the press of a button.

I can go on and on: there’s a 35-hour rechargeable battery, an interchangeable outer jacket, an internal mic for handsfree calls, comes in a variety of colors and fabrics, and the sport XL even floats.

Action camera systems are designed to work in extreme conditions and the MindShift action series is produced with the same mindset.

The series includes 13 products ranging from filter pouches up to backpacks for storing your camera systems in a safe manner with easy access.

According to MindShift, they were designed with organization and ease of access in mind, and after seeing samples from the line it’s a slam dunk that they have achieved that and more.

According to the company website, “All fabric exteriors are treated with a DWR coating while fabric undersides are coated with PU for superior water resistance.” They also feature YKK zippers, 100D shadow rip–stop nylon, 200D polyester, nylon webbing, nylon cord and 3–ply bonded nylon thread.

What that means to the user is that the storage system is top-notch and able to withstand any environment.

When you see the MindShift rotation180-degree Trail 16L backpack you might think it’s big and bulky for such a small camera system, but it’s far from that.

Starting with a weight of just 2.5 pounds, the backpack features the company’s patented award-winning rotation technology. This allows you to rotate the built-in belt-pack 180-degrees from the back to the front while running, walking or even biking to grab the gear you need.

When you have what you need, rotate it back into its compartment in the bottom area of backpack.

There are also endless storage compartments, including room for a 2-liter hydration system, adjustable and padded airflow harness, adjustable side compress straps and outside tripod panel holder.

The exterior is water resistant with a durable water-repellant coating and the underside of the fabric has a polyurethane coating. Rain covers, which fit perfectly for each backpack are available separately ($19.99).

MindShift GP Mounts

Adding the GP Mounts storage case (7.1 x 7.1 x 1.2-inches, 3.5 ounces) to the backpack, makes it a complete system. The pouch stores anything from the camera to cables or even your smartphone and accessories.

It’s made with a center divider and clear front panel to see what is where.

Trust me, when ordering the GP Mounts storage case you’ll want more than one of them; they are that cool.

The rest of the line has storage solutions for batteries, cables, filters, an LCD, memory cards, mounts or any accessory you want.

If that makes your head spin, just know they sound great and look amazing.

An important feature of eye-catching over-the-head headphones is how they physically feel on your head and ears. In this case the Liberates pass the test. After a few minutes you don’t even know they are on your head.

The soft ear cushions feel great and the headband is adjustable to get the right fit. They also have a fabric-braided tangle-fee cable with an in-line mic made from recycled plastic for hands-free calling and music controls.

House of Marley: Liberate XL

The exterior of the headband is made with recycled aluminum and folds up in a compact design when not in use.

An included fabric carrying bag and the inside of the headband are composed of reclaimed hemp, organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles according to information on the packaging.

The Satechi IQ Plug is so smart, it can control any device plugged into it. It also shows you how much power is being consumed and even has a weekly programmable schedule for turning a device such as a light, on and off.

Download the free app (Google Play and the Apple App store) and then connect your smartphone with the plug via Bluetooth 4.0; pairing the device takes just a few seconds.

Once the app is running, plug the IQ Plug into a standard AC power outlet (100-120V) and then plug your device into the IQ Plug. Now you can turn your device on and off from anywhere in your home using your smartphone.

What I liked was it replaced an old timer on my wall. It took seconds to program a weekly schedule for the IQ Plug and now it’s smarter than me, or at least a fifth grader.

You can use it for lights and other electronics like a coffee maker – program it to make the first cup of the day and also to set a shutoff time so you know it’s turned off when you leave for work.

Another feature lets it measure how much of a power-consumption hog your device is by reading simple charts within the app. Power can be compared in charts for daily, weekly, or monthly energy consumption.

Remember, this is Bluetooth enabled, not Wi-Fi. With the Bluetooth it will be good for using almost anywhere in your home.

www.satechi.net $29.99

If you have a pet, then you have to get the Petcube.

The 4-inch cube shaped device is a video camera so you can check up on your little fluffy friend any time of the day, from just about anywhere.

Features of the interactive Wi-Fi pet monitor allow you to watch your dog or cat live on most smartphones or tablets. A free app is available in the Apple App store and Google play store.

If the video isn’t enough, you can talk to your pet and even play laser games.

The camera is housed in an aluminum housing, records 720p HD video for streaming (no internal memory to record) and has a 138-degree field of view.

There’s also a microphone and speaker built-in for having a 2-way audio connection.

For the setup, you download the app, connect the Petcube to your home Wi-Fi network and register in the app.

I tried it out with my dog and it was nothing short of breath-taking watching my dog sleep for a few hours.

A new feature to PetCube lets you also connect to your pet with the Apple Watch.

www.petecube.com $169

The Phiaton MS 100 BA sound-isolating earbuds were described to me as versatile earphones, which use balanced-armature technology to provide warmth and detail in sound without cutting back on bass.

They sound great especially for the crowd of earbuds in the $100 price point.

They are built with a stylish aluminum body and double-injection ear tips. Extra ear tips are included to get the right fit (XS, S, M, and L).

Internally each ear tip contains a high-quality balanced armature driver with a frequency range of 10 Hz to 27 kHz.

The sound isolating technology is from a Phiaton feature, which prevents sound leakage to make sure the sound you get in your ears does not include sounds from ambient background noise

There’s also an in-line remote for controlling music or cell phone calls.

www.Phiaton.com $99

Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com. Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman

San Disk’s new plug-n-play Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0 has the typical USB connection on one end, as expected from a flash drive. But this one stands out because the other end has a microUSB connector which makes it ideal for moving content on devices including OTG enabled Android smartphones.

To organize and transfer content, you must download the free SanDisk Memory Zone app in Google Play. Consider that app your file cabinet to access files and move content on or off a device.

This includes photos, music, movies and contacts. You can also access and use anything on the drive without first moving to your device.

For example, if the memory of your smartphone is full and you want to watch an HD movie, plug in the Ultra Dual drive and watch it without having to transfer it.

The standard USB works with any Windows or MAC computer (no driver needed). It measures just 0.43-by-0.78- by1.44-inches, has a slider to expose the connection you want and is available in 16GB ($13.24), 32GB ($18.49) and 64GB ($34.24) capacities.

Check the SanDisk for a complete list of compatible devices. The USB 3.0 port is back-wards compatible with USB 2.0.

www.SanDisk.com
The Oregon Scientific Ssmart Dynamo 2 plus activity tracker does everything you would want from a wearable

fitness device.

It’s super easy to set up and get going along with the free Smart Fit for Android (version 4.3 and above) and iOS (version 7.0 and above) devices.

It works 24/7 or as long as you wear it to track sleep patterns, fitness activities and even stay connected with friends and family.

The latter happens after the tracker is paired with your cellphone to receive or reject (Android only) calls, caller ID and displays text messages and email. It also allows you to share fitness results on social media.

As for the fitness aspect, which is the main reason to have an activity tracker, it tracks heart rate data, the distance you go and how many steps it took to go that far. It also estimates how many calories burned.

It also features Find My Phone, which if you ever have to use it, you’ll understand the value.

Within the Smart App, everything is displayed in simple pie-charts, not complicated graphs. Many features and displays can be customized to your liking, including the wristband button and the display.

Up to seven days of information can be stored on the tracker. http://ssmart.oregonscientific.com/ $99.99

The new TrackR bravo is a coin-sized device you easily attach to a valuable item and it helps you locate it if lost or the most popular, misplaced.

When you get separated from whatever you attached it to, you’ll get notified through the TrackR app in seconds. Through the app, the device connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth 4.0 and has a 100-foot range.

It uses the Crowd GPS network to find the TrackR and displays the distance between you and the item on the App. If you ever played the game hot or cold, that’s how this works to let you know if you’re on the right track to find it.

It’s ideal for keys, mobile devices and even suggested for pets.

The rounded item measures 1.2-inches in diameter and is just .13-inches. It easily attaches to a key chain, camera strap, bicycle or a pet’s collar.

Register up to 10 TrackR Bravo devices on the TrackR app for simultaneous tracking. Also, within the app, many of the alert sounds and notifications can be customized.